520 



INSECTS AlMiOAD. 



given to a genus of bees in consequence of their power of bur- 

 rowing into wood. They are spread over all the warmer por- 

 tions of the earth, but no species has as yet been found to 

 inhabit England. The present example is a native of Southern 

 Africa, and, as is often the case among insects, the colours of the 

 two sexes are very different. The male is covered with yellowish 

 orange hair, and has transparent wings, while the female is black, 

 varied with whitish grey hair, and her wings are black, with a 

 blue gloss. In the illustration the upper figure represents the 

 male, and the lower the female. 



1 II ^ . — Vjlocopa nigrita. 

 (Male, (iiinge. Female, blaek.) 



Between the two specimens is seen the entrance to the tunnel 

 which these insects make. By means of their very powerful 

 jaws, which look much like wire-nippers, a large hole is made in 

 the side of a tree, and carried on horizontally for a few inches. 

 It then turns almost at an angle, so as to follow the grain of the 

 wood. A vast number of chips are of course made, and, instead 

 of being thrown away, are stored up in a safe place until wanted. 



